WEST Ham star Michail Antonio has posted an emotional message online for the first time since he was discharged from hospital following his horror car crash.
The Hammers striker broke his leg in the smash involving his £260,000 Ferrari, which saw him airlifted to hospital earlier this month.
Michail Antonio has posted an emotional message after being discharged from hospital
The Hammers star broke his leg in a horror car crash earlier this month
He was discharged earlier today and has now broken his silence on the ordeal.
Taking to his Instagram, Antonio thanked emergency services and the football community - and promised to be back in action soon.
He wrote: "Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words.
"But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive.
"I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.
"What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes.
"I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.
"To the emergency services, the NHS, the Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC.
"The medical team, the board, all of the staff, my teammates and the amazing West Ham fans… I honestly could not have got through this without you. thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"To my loved ones who stood by my side throughout everything, I can’t express how much you mean to me.
"Lastly, to the whole football community thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. It has truly meant the world.
"I love you all and I am endlessly grateful for every one of you.
"Happy New Year- and I’ll be back on that pitch soon."
Ongoing enquiries
The striker was trapped in the wreckage of the supercar for more than an hour before ambulances arrived on the scene.
Cops have since ruled out booze or drugs as the reason for the crash, with investigators also reportedly working on the assumption that no third party was involved.
There hasn't even been mention of excessive speeding, raising the possibility that it could have been a freak accident.
A source said: “Drink and drugs have already been ruled out, and officers are not currently looking for anyone else.
“There is no smoking gun as far as cops are concerned right now - but they have to investigate because the smash was so serious and caused such extensive injuries.
“Just because cops are involved doesn’t mean a crime has been committed.”
A classy touch
In response to the crash, West Ham has raised almost £60,000 for NHS and Air Ambulance charities to thank staff for their rapid response.
For their first game in the wake of the smash, players all wore shirts bearing Antonio's name.
These were then signed and auctioned off for a collective £29,613, which was then matched by the club's board.
Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen said: "It’s been special to see the West Ham family and the wider football community come together in support of Mic over the last month.
“We are all grateful for the care that both the NHS and Air Ambulances UK have given to Mic during a challenging time for him and his family.
"And for what they continue to do every single day for people around the country.
"Pulling together during difficult times is what being a part of West Ham United is all about and on behalf of the team I want to thank everyone for helping us to raise an incredible amount of money for two great causes."
BURNLEY have signed defender Oliver Sonne from Danish outfit Silkeborg.The Peru right-back becomes Clarets boss Scott Parker’s first signing of the January window and has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal.Oliver Sonne has signed for Championship side BurnleySonne, 24, is the nephew of supermodel Helena Christensen and played more than 100 times in Denmark’s top flight.After his revea...
ENGLAND star Kieran Trippier is locked in a feud with his estranged wife Charlotte over their three kids.The 34-year-old footballer broke one of their key parenting rules following their split - leaving his former missus raging.Kieran Trippier with wife Charlotte and their three childrenCharlotte on holiday in Greece this summerThe Newcastle player - who earns £130,000-a-week - was slapped do...
KYLE WALKER enjoyed a night at Ally Pally to watch the World Darts Championship.The Manchester City captain headed to the Palace to watch on as Luke Littler took to the oche in darts' premier competition.Kyle Walker attended the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra PalaceWalker was in the crowd enjoying his night after The Sun exclusively revealed that he did not send Christmas gifts to his t...
CHLOE KELLY went from the Wetihad to Sunsetihad - as the Manchester City star swapped wintry England for balmy Dubai.The Lionesses winger treated herself to a luxury holiday, and her fans to some sizzling photos, as she jetted away with new husband Scott Moore.Chloe Kelly's admirers were thrilled by her yacht snapsThe Etihad ace is making the most of a month-long break in the Women's Super League....
RUBEN AMORIM showed his class by giving a young Manchester United fan an once-in-a-lifetime tour around Carrington in his car.The Red Devils manager has only been in charge since mid-November.Ruben Amorim gave a young fan a tour of Carrington in his carBut he has already endeared himself to the United faithful with a new style and high hopes for the future.Results are yet to go Amorim’s way,...
Haaland scored his first goal in five games as City secured a much-needed victory over Leicester on Sunday.Guardiola casually revealed Haaland has welcomed his first child into the world with girlfriend Isabel JohansenAnd his boss revealed the strike came at the end of a memorable week for the Norwegian superstar and partner Isabel Johansen.Guardiola, who celebrated his 500th game in charge with h...
The former Arsenal star took to the slopes during the Bundesliga's winter break.Granit Xhaka showed off a new look while on holidayThe midfielder has gone for a buzzcutXhaka, 32, left the Gunners in 2023 for Bayer Leverkusen and has become one of the side's key players.He played a crucial role in the team winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal last term.This included a run of 51 matches unbeaten und...
The Blues midfielder stunned everyone - including the pretty brunette - by telling her earlier this year he wanted to end their six-year relationship.Enzo Fernandez's ex-fiance is jetting into London for New YearThe pair split unexpectedly in October and share two children togetherValentina jetted back to Argentina but will return to the capital for December 31The 24-year-old beauty moved back to ...
Annie and Kyle spent Christmas Day together despite her filing for divorce in OctoberThe Man City star, 34, worth an estimated £27million, missed out son Kairo and daughter Kinara for a second year despite promising friends he'd do the "right thing".It has left Lauryn feeling the humbug spirit, say sources.One said: "All of their mutual friends have talked to Kyle."They feel really upset for ...
Pamela Anderson once dated Adil RamiPamela Anderson was one of the biggest celebrities on the planet in the 1990s.However, as her star waned after the turn of the century, Anderson hooked up with French World Cup winner Adil Rami. Rami, who turns 39 today (Friday, December 27), even reportedly once got down on one knee and proposed to the blonde bombshell.Anderson is said to have turned down the o...
